During New York Fashion Week, the debate around the lack of diversity on the runway was in full effect. CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg sent a letter to designers, agencies and casting agents/directors encouraging them to create shows that were “truly multicultural.” Needless to say, the runways of New York, Milan, London and Paris were still pretty blanca. The ladies over at Jezebel did a wonderful breakdown of the missing diversity at the New York & Paris Fashion weeks.

This prompted us to start The Minority Report: A guide to women of color on the runway. This is our working guide to the ground-breakers (Yasmeen, Iman), the current classics (Alek, Naomi) and the future (Jourdan and Emma.). Maybe if we call them by name the designers will too. For the debut report, we take you around the world, from India, to China then to Brasil to bring you three very fresh faces…

Lakshmi Menon
Status: Hot GirlOrigin: IndiaAge: 27Agency: StormParlour Note: This self described “€œshy girl” has been putting her dues quietly since about 2005 and it’s paying off. After gracing the cover of the debut issue of Vogue India, she’s the current face of Hermes (S/S 08) and one of the few South-Asian faces to walk the ramps this past season.

Recent & Notable Shows
Stella McCartney
Issey Miyake
Haider Ackermann

Emma Pei
Status: Warming UpOrigin: ChinaAge: 22Agency: IMGParlour Note: Word on the street is that she is super-nice and very silly, we say she’s just gorgeous.

Samira CardosoStatus: Warming Up FastOrigin: BrasilAge: 18Agency: FordParlour Note: We are rooting for this newcomer, who made a big splash (and statement) after opening and closing the Spring 2008 DVF Show.